Rick Perry’s new role: Comedian

Texas Gov. Rick Perry will be the Republican speaker at the March 24 spring dinner of the Gridiron Club & Foundation in Washington.

The Gridiron, a 127-year-old organization of Washington journalists, hosts the annual dinner to roast politicians and the news media, hewing to its proclaimed goal of “singeing but never burning’’ its targets.

The white-tie dinner features a spokesman for both political parties and the president of the United States or another speaker representing the administration. In between speeches, Club members perform on stage in an evening of songs, skits and comedy.

George Condon, White House correspondent for National Journal and president of the Gridiron, said the Democratic speaker would be announced soon.